Vapor separation units for internal combustion engines



Sept. 19, 1961 R. 1.. BOWERS 3,000,467

VAPOR SEPARATION UNITS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 1'7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

l figg/ .6. 5021/6265 Sept. 19, 1961 R. L. BOWERS 3,000,467

VAPOR SEPARATION UNITS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 1'7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Se s? P ter- 3,000,467; Ice -p tt d 19, 1 961 This invention relates to fuel systems and more particularly to units in liquid fuel systems for providing vapor-free fuel to internal combustion engines.

It has long been recognized that the presence of vapor in an engine feed line reduces and often eliminates the proper and effective functioning of the fuel pump and the engine; Vapor lock conditions in automotive gasoline feed systems arise because'of use in rarefied atmosphere, use under elevated temperature conditions, high volatility characteristics of 'the particular fuel or from combinations of these circumstances.

The object 'o'f'the present invention is to provide a unit for a liquid fuel system for an internal combustion engine whichunit is low in cost, simple and compact in strhcture and highly effeetive in removng vapor from an engine fuel feed line. I 4

f A feature of the present invention is a liquid fuel system unit comprising a closed receptacle adapted to be incorporated in a fuel feed line, the receptacle having separate upper chambers, one of which is vented back to a liquid fuelsupply reservoir. Another feature is 'a' closed receptacle in which separate upper chambers are arranged to promote the separation of vapor from liquid fuel with the aid of a filtering element. Another feature is a closed receptacle having a depending wall enlarging the potential capability of the receptacle for separating vapor from liquid fuel as the latter flows through the receptacle. Another feature pertains to an annular filter element in a vapor separating closed receptacle which element is arranged to retain impurities While aiding to separate the vapor. Still another feature is a cup-shaped filter element which impedes the flow of impurities and promotes their precipitation into the lower portion of a receptacle for convenient and periodic removal from a liquid fuel system.

These and other important features of the invention will now be described in detail in the specification and claim.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially diagrammatic view of a liquid fuel system for an internal combustion engine, one principal element being drawn partially in section as seen looking in the direction of the arrows 11 in FIG. 2 and presented to an enlarged scale as compared with other elements of the system;

FIG. 2 is a plane view of the principal element or unit shown in FIG. 1 and portions thereof being broken away better to illustrate the construction; and

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of a portion of an element similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 representing a modified construction with parts broken away.

The fuel system, as depicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings, comprises a fuel supply reservoir or tank 10, a closed receptacle indicated generally at 14 and a fuel pump 16. An upper portion of the receptacle 14 is in the form of a casting 18 which defines an inlet chamber 22 with a zone of arcuate or U-shaped configuration and an L-shaped chamber 26 for the discharge of fuel. A boss 24 is formed on the upper portion 18 and is recessed threadedly to receive a vent line 28 which connects the chamber 22 with a lower zone of the fuel tank. An orifice 29 is formed in the body of the casting 18 to give a restricted passage to the vent line 28.

A port 30 is formed in the casting 18 and serves as a means of communication between an inlet conduit 62 and" the arcuate chamber 22. The other end of the conduit 32 is connected to the discharge side of the'fuel pump 16 and the inlet side of the latter is connected by a conduit 34 to a bottom zone of the tank 10. A horizontal leg of the L-shaped outlet chamber 26 is connected by means of a conduit 36 to the fuel system of the engine being served.

A lower portion of the closed receptacle 14 comprises a transparent glass bowl 40, the rim of which is tightly held to the upper portion 18 with a sealing gasket 42 interposed. The bowl 40 is held in position by means of a conventional bail 44 which is generally U-shaped in configuration and having its upper ends 46 and 48 bent inwardly for pivoting in recesses formed in the casting 18. Compression of the gasket 42 to insure a tight seal may be affected by means of a screw adjustment arrangement 46 associated with the bail 44.

A vertical passage 49 forming one leg of the outlet chamber 26 is defined by a depending, substantially cylindrical wall or sleeve 50 which is surrounded by an annular shoulder 52 formed on the casting 18. The inlet cham-" ber 22 substantially surrounds the outlet chamber 26 and extends above the sleeve 50.

An annular filter element generally indicated at 54 is located within the bowl 40 and comprises a fibrous filter element wall 56 of such porosity as to permit the passage of liquid fuel and restrict the passage of impurities. The porous material in the wall 56 may be accreted or woven as in conventional liquid'fuel filtration usage. The filter element wall 56 isin the form of an annular trough, the upper interior margins of which are tightly held to an annular trough portion 58 formed in a metal disc 60. The peripheral margin of the disc is tightly held in position against a shoulder 61 of the casting 18 by means of the inner marginal periphery of the gasket 42. The center of the disc 60 is apertured to receive the sleeve or de pending substantially cylindrical wall 50 and a sealing gasket 62 is interposed between the plate or disc 60 and the shoulder 52 to form a fluid tight seal. An annular series of openings 63 are formed in the disc 60 to convey fuel into the filter element.

It will be noter that the intake lines 34 and 32 considered with the pump 16 and also the discharge or outlet conduit 36 leading to the engine constitute means of relatively large flow capacity as compared with the vent means leading back to the tank 10.

In operation of the system depicted in FIG. 1, the fuel is directed by the pump 16 to flow through the lines 34- and 32 to the chamber 22. This chamber is of such size, particularly when assisted by the baffie action of the depending sleeve or wall 50, as to insure the separation of any vapor present from the liquid fuel before the fuel reaches the bottom end of the passage 49. A further assurance that the vapor separates and is not passed along with the liquid fuel is given by the baflle action and location of the filter element 54 transverse to the liquid fuel path at the zone where the separation is desired. The vapor separated in the chamber 22 will rise therefrom through the vent means which comprises the restrictive orifice 29 and the line 28. This vapor will be discharged into the tank 10 and be condensed as will be understood. Any air which may be present in the vapor will be vented from the tank 10 in a conventional manner as by way of the tank filler cap. Liquid fuel clarified by the filter material 56 passes downwardly into the bowl 40, then upwardly through the passage 49 and the outlet chamber 26 and to the engine by way of the line 36. Dirt separated from the fuel is trapped within the filter element 54 which may easily be replaced when required. As a result of this arrangement, vapor-free liquid fuel may be conducted by the line 36 to the engine under the effective propulsive force of the pump 16.

1n the modification shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion or casting 18 is the same as in FIG. 1; but in this instance a different filter element 70, is provided. This element nmnr ses a P ous and fi rous. upl er 72., t e. rim

of; which is adhesively, held to the periphery of a. circular disc, 74 which is smaller in outside diameter than the inner diameter of the cup 40 to present an annular flow space 7 6, The center of the disc 7 4 is aperturedto receive the sleeve or wall 50 of the casting 18 and is so formed.

as to cooperate with a second dise78 as to form a pocket for retaining; an Op-ring 80;. The latter bears resiliently against the, outer surface of the sleeve or wall 50 to form a fluid tight seal. Two annular and contacting portions 81 and 82, of the discs, 74 and 78 are joined together as by Inthe; en bodjimentof FIG. 3 the function for removing vapor. is the same as attainedin the use of the apparatus oflfIG. 1;; but, because of the difierence in the filter structure, sediment separated from the fuel is not retained by the filter element but is deflected thereby and drops to,

thebottom of. the-bowl 40 and is visible for inspection in the, ascertainment ofthenecessity for cleaning the bowl.

It. is to be understood that much of the vapor relieving characteristics of the separating devices obtain without inclusion of the, filter, but the presence of the. filter is preferred to secure an optimum performance in. both;

vapor; and dirt separation in a small unit. From thisit may be seen that a separating device, with or Without '4 a filter element, comes within the spirit of the present invention.

I claim:

A vapor separating unit for an internal combustion engine fuel system, said unit comprising a receptacle having an'upper portiondefininga U-shaped zone; fon'receiving fuel vapor, afuel. inlet passage leading directly to an intermediate part of said U-shaped zone and an L-shaped liquid fuel outlet passage within said U-shaped zone; a lower portion of said receptacle defining a lower zone communicating and registering with said U-shaped zone for receiving liquid fuel from, saidfuel inlet passage; a part' of said'upper portion, defining said L-shaped liquid: fuel outlet passage including a depending sleeve extending said outlet passage, a filter element surroundingsaid sleeve in said lower zoneand arranged transverse to. avflow path; from said inlet passage to saidoutletpassage, an. open. vent of small flow capacity insaid upper. portion. and lead-'- ing from one leg oi said U.-shaped zone for. removing;

vapor fromsaidunit, andsaidinlet and outlet passages;

being ofjl'argevflorw. capacity for handlingliquidfuel.

References Cited. in thefile of, this patent UNITED. STATES. PATENTS 

